Posted by Bibleman [Bibleman] on November 17, 1999 at 12:55:12 {xx2d.1sWpQMSSTtTA17sslyACFuF8c}:
In Reply to: *Armegeddon as a Thief? posted by Rick on November 17, 1999 at 07:04:42:
Hi Rick,
Please note that you are considering the "conclusion of the system of things" as ARMAGEDDON.
The "system of things" is just the NWT term for "era". The concept of the "END" is simply the end of an "era".
What era? What era was the topic of discussion?
Luke 21:24 clearly shows that they were talking about the "appointed times of the nations."
So the "conclusion of the system of things" specifically is simply the END OF THE GENTILE TIMES. That is what connects the END of the system of things with the Second Coming since when Jesus arrives and takes up kingdom power, having kicked Satan out of heaven, he literally ENDS the period of time when there was no earthly king on Judah's throne. The END of the gentile times happens when the Messiah arrives as a thief.
So please update: The 'CONCLUSION OF THE SYSTEM OF THINGS" is NOT the end of the world, but simply the "END OF THE ERA OF THE GENTILE TIMES."
Armageddon comes later. And thus it is Jesus who comes as a thief in secret and in private, but Armageddon will follow critical major events in world history including the preemptive destruction of Babylon the Great by the U.N. So in that sense alone, certainly Armgeddon will be seen clearly as being imminent though it will catch people by surprise.
But definitely the Second Coming is what is referred to as arriving as a "thief" and that relates to Jesus' ending the gentile times when he comes in secret in the flesh.
I've tried to emphasize this, but it doesn't seem to be getting through to even the more astute around here.
So thanks mntzion for pointing out the difference.
Cheers,
Bibleman